Derek McDowell (Labour)

I disagree with the Minister's last point that this gives us time and space in which to work out the change. It does nothing of the sort. It seems to do the exact opposite by putting a gun to the head of the boards to realise assets quickly and give effect to what will then be the Act. The Minister points out that it would be possible to grow revenue over time on which to build up the capital reserves but that will not happen within the timescale the Minister mentions, of eight months, or even twice that time. That would take at least some years.

Are we by proxy effectively making a decision which will oblige Aer Rianta to sell the hotels or realise some of its foreign assets? Few of us would be put out if some of the foreign assets were disposed of although that might in turn impinge on the viability of Aer Rianta International but I doubt there are any strategic issues about which people will be very bothered. There are colleagues in parts of the country where the Great Southern Hotels are located who have a very strong view as to whether the hotels should remain within the State sector. Although generally I support the State sector my ideological commitment to it does not extend to hotels but some of my colleagues hold the view that this hotel chain should remain within the State sector. Does this decision effectively oblige Aer Rianta to sell the hotels?